Cat's Cradle Chapter 4 Summary

A Tentative Tangling of Tendrils

  • But is the last chapter's story going to stop John from trying? Nope. He will attempt to include as many members of his karass as he can and discuss their purpose on Earth.
  • Oh, if you think he's trying to convert the reader to Bokononism, then you may swallow your chill pill now. He won't.
  • On the other hand, you'll have to understand how a "religion founded on lies" can be useful to truly appreciate his story (4.5).
  • So, fair warning.
  • Now, onto that karass John's been on about these last few chapters. His definitely includes Dr. Felix Hoenikker (according to this book, one of the fathers of the atomic bomb) and his three children.
  • Of these three, the first to be touched by John's sinookas or tendrils of fate is Newton Hoenikker.
  • And, yes, "tendrils of fate" is meant to sound slightly dirty. Feel free to chuckle or giggle or just laugh right out loud.
  • It happened when John was gathering material for his book. He sent Newton a letter asking him what he remembered about the day the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.